Singapore's best tennis courts

Kallang Tennis Centre

Number of courts: 14
The scene: If you are thinking of world-class facilities, try these courts on for size. Home to the only public tennis court with a 1,219 seating capacity, it is no wonder Kallang is a popular venue for competitions. It also serves as the training venue for the tennis national team and national youth teams. A further boost to its reputation came when it hosted official matches for the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games. 52 Stadium Rd (6348 1291). Daily 7am-10pm. MRT: Mountbatten. Cost: Non-peak rate (Mon-Fri 7am- 6pm): $3.50 per hour; peak rate (Mon- Fri 6-10pm, Sat & Sun): $9.50 per hour.

Farrer Park Tennis Centre

Number of courts: Eight courts, two practice walls
The scene: Surrounded by dense greenery and tranquil housing estates, this is a popular spot to hold kids’ tennis classes, particularly in the evening. The above-average twin practice walls come in handy for budding and seasoned players alike. The central location helps too – the courts are just a few steps from Farrer Park and Little India train stations. Remember to call a week in advance to secure your booking. 1 Rutland Rd (6299 4166). Daily 7am-10pm. Bus: 56, 131, 851. Cost: Non-peak rate (Mon-Fri 7am-6pm): $3.50 per hour; peak rate (Mon-Fri 6-10pm, Sat & Sun, public holiday): $9.50 per hour.

CCAB (Co-curricular Activities Branch, MOE) Sports Hall

Number of courts: Five courts, one practice wall
The scene: A weekend wind-down spot for the majority of goers – young working adults, the giant arena houses five all-weather surfaced tennis courts. A plethora of other activities are offered as well – after a game of tennis, energetic types can try their hand at sports ranging from badminton to table tennis, basketball, squash, volleyball and both indoor and outdoor netball (street soccer can be played on these courts too). There’s also a swimming pool, hockey pitch, soccer field and running track in the compound. Nature lovers can easily head down to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve or Botanic Gardens for a relaxing post-match stroll. 21 Evans Rd (6468 8393). Mon-Fri 6-10pm, Sat 2-10pm, Sun & public holiday 7am-10pm. Take a taxi. Cost: $9.50 per hour.

Yio Chu Kang Tennis Centre

Number of courts: Nine
The scene: These tennis courts received a facelift last year, with a refurbishing of their all-weather surfaces. Surely the attention to detail is a reason to book a court (with 15 years on the clock, they are already newer than most). Keeping players fed and hydrated is a café stocked with fruits and energy drinks, and located on the second floor beside the courts. 200 Ang Mo Kio Ave 9 (6482 4980). Daily 7am-10pm. MRT: Yio Chu Kang. Cost: Non-peak rate (Mon-Fri 7am-6pm): $3.50 per hour; peak rate (Mon-Fri 6-10pm, Sat & Sun, public holiday): $9.50 per hour.

Jurong West Sports Hall

Number of courts: Two
The scene: The only rooftop court on the list, the fixture caps off six floors of sporting facilities – there’s a gym on the fifth floor, a VIP lounge on the third and a pool on the second. Don’t fret if you forget to bring, or don’t have the equipment; there’s an on-site Sportslink store that sells Prince, Yonex and Wilson rackets ($69.90- $200++) and tennis balls ($9.90-$24). 20 Jurong West St 93 (6515 5259/6515 5331). Daily 7am-10pm. MRT: Pioneer. Cost: Non-peak rate (Mon-Fri 7am- 6pm): $3.50 per hour; peak rate (Mon- Fri 6-10pm, Sat & Sun): $9.50 per hour.

Bedok Tennis Centre

Number of courts: Four
The scene: The small sports hall offers facilities for only two activities – badminton and tennis. The community-style arena is home to private tennis lessons almost daily; the courts are also sometimes rented out for friendly tournaments between nearby secondary schools. For other forms of recreation and sport, the neighbourhood offers a wide list of options with Bedok Stadium, Bedok Swimming Pool, Bedok Reservoir Park, Bedok Community Centre and Bedok Town Park conveniently located nearby. 3 Bedok North St 2 (6443 1787). Daily 7am-10pm. Bus: 14, 222, 545. Cost: Non-peak rate (Mon-Fri 7am-6pm): $3.50 per hour; peak rate (Mon-Fri 6-10pm, Sat & Sun, public holiday): $9.50.

Choa Chu Kang Sports Hall

Number of courts: Four
The scene: Launched in 2001, the complex – one of the city’s newest – is housed in a one-of-a-kind colossus of modern architecture. The four tennis courts are spread out – courts 1 and 2 are next to the track and street-soccer court on the first floor, while courts 3 and 4 are on Level 2, just below the gym. As an added incentive, on-site certified instructors have been roped in for both kids’ (10 per class) and adults’ (18 and above; 8 per class) lessons. 1 Choa Chu Kang St 53 (6767 4576). Mon-Sun 7am-10pm. Bus: 307. Cost: Non-peak rate (Mon-Fri 7am-6pm): $3.50 per hour; peak rate (Mon-Fri 6-10pm, Sat & Sun, public holiday): $9.50 per hour.

St Wilfrid Squash & Tennis Centre

Number of courts: Four tennis and two squash courts
The scene: Despite 30 years of use, the tennis courts are surprisingly well preserved. The squash courts are kept in tip-top shape too, and warrant a visit. 3 St Wilfrid Rd (6293 3452). Daily 7am-10pm. Bus: 13, 23, 147, 857. Cost: Non-peak rate (7am-6pm): $3.50 per hour; peak rate (6-10pm): $9.50 per hour.

Kampong Glam Community Club

Number of courts: One
The scene: Sitting snug in the heart of Kampong Glam, this pocket-sized, family-oriented locale makes a pleasant respite from the heat and crowds. Here, informal tennis classes are held twice a week – every Tuesday and Thursday, from 7.30pm onwards. Classes are an hour and a half long, and open to both children and adults (10-12 per class). 385 Beach Rd (6293 1179/ 6298 4359). Daily 9.45am-9.45pm; closed on public holidays. Bus: 100, 107, 145, 961, 980. Cost: Non-peak rate (Mon-Fri 9.45am- 5.45pm): $ 6.50 per hour; peak rate (Mon-Fri 5.45-9.45pm, Sat & Sun): $7.50 per hour.

Burghley Squash & Tennis Centre

Number of courts: Four tennis and four squash courts
The scene: Isolated from city or heartlander crowds, this one-storey complex, running for three decades-plus, offers a warm, homely vibe to bask in for that much-needed day of endorphin-pumped relaxation. A unique feature is the duo-tone tennis courts, whose younger patrons – teams from nearby schools, such as Rosyth Primary School, Nanyang Junior College and the Australian International School – train and prepare for tournaments. 43 Burghley Dr (6283 1251). Daily 7am-10pm. Bus: 317. Cost: Non-peak rate (Mon-Fri 7am-6pm): $3.50 per hour; peak rate (Mon-Fri 6-10pm, Sat & Sun, public holiday): $9.50 per hour.